Switch mechanism



Sept. 18, 1928. 1,685,068

W. R. HUTTINGER SWITCH MECHANISM Filed June 26. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 18, 1928. v 1,685,068

w. R. HUTTINGER SWITCH MECHANISM Filed .June 26, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ll I 1 {1M o 56 3 U m Sept. 18, 1928.

W. R. HUTTINGER SWITCH MECHANISM Filed June26, 1925 s Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 18, 1928.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM R. HUTTINGER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA SWITCH MECHANISM.

Application. filed June 26, 1925. Serial No. 39,790.

My invention relates to switches, and it has particular relation to operating mechanism therefor. i

The increasing size of power houses has necessitated radical changes in the design and arrangement of. switch gearing, whereby short circuits may be prevented from damaging the total structure. The present trend of development is toward the so-called isolated phase system, wherein one bus bar and its associated. disconnecting and oil switches are placed on one floor, and the other phases with their equipment on other floors. Such arrangement necessitates theoperation of all the disconnecting switches from a remote point.

One method of operating the disconnecting switches involves the use of two sets of connecting rods, of which. one is in tension when the switches are opened and the. other in ten sion when saidswitches are closed. Since these rods are connected to walking beams on each floor, expansion and contraction of the rods establishes undue strains on the bearings and the walking beams and, in some cases, affects the adjustment of the apparatus. Moreover, the connecting rods constitute a continuous metal conductorbetween the several floors of the switch houses, so that when a fault develops on one floor due to the failure of an oil switch tank or a flash over upon an insulator, current is con'nminicated to the other floors, thereby defeating the very purposeof isolating the phases.

Fll1.tl16l.l1'l0l, since the connecting rods are attached to walking beams,'the connecting rods havea transverse as well as a longitudinal component of travel, thereby requiring an opening in the floor sufficient to permit the transverse movement. In certain designs, the connecting rods serve as locking means for the switches, but this is undesirable inasmuch as the switches might be blown open under short circuit conditions should some part of the operating mechanism be disconnected. I

An object of my invention, therefore, is to provide switchoperat-ing mechanism which shall avoid the above mentioned undesirable results'and which shall be characterized by the fact'that temperature changes-have substantially no effect on'the adjustmentof the mechanism; that stresses in the operating shaft are reduced to a minimum; that' the switches are selflockingin any-position, even with the operating shaft: disconnected; and

gether with means for absorbing the thrust of the worm, whereby the operating shaft may be subjected to torsional stresses only.

A further object of my invention is to provide a connecting link between a switch blade and an operating crank, the connecting link being on dead center when the switch is in predetermined positions, whereby the mechanism may be self locking.

' A still further object of my invention is to provide a main operating shaft for the disconnecting switches which is fitted with insulating sections between floor levels, whereby a fault developing on one floor may be prevented from being communicated to another floor. f I V A still further object of my invention is to provide gas tight bushings at the floor levels for the disconnecting switch operating shaft so as to prevent high temperature currentconducting gases passing from one floor to another.

A still further object of my invention is to provide simple and effective means for me chanically interlocking the disconnecting switches and the oil switches.

With these and other objects in mind, my invention further consists in the details of construction and operation and arrangement, hereinafter described and claimed and illustratedin the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a detail elevational view of a i tween the main operating shaft and the crank arms;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view, partially in section, of the connection between the con ducting and non-conducting portions of the main operating shaft; and

.Figs, 8 and 9 are side ele ations]. and. top

plan views, respectively, of the interlocking mechanism between the disconnecting switches and the oil switches.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings, a multiphase electrical system 1 includes a plurality of disconnectino' switches, ot which only switches and 3 are shown. T he s itches 2 and 3 are positioned on doors l ti of an electrical tlllti station and are secured to vertically aligned wall sections T and 8, respectively. A reactor 9 {U141 an oil switch 10 usual design are electrically associated with each disconnecting switch in the usual manner.

In accordance with my invention, the several disconnecting switches of the multiphase system 1 are operated by means of a single sectional shal t ll. a lower end 12 of which is positioned on a floor 13 below the upper floors 5 and (5. it relative movement may be imparted to the control shaft 11 by means of an operating handle l-l which is operatively associated with the shaft 11 by bevel gearing 15.

The conducting" gases generally formed under short circuit conditions mav be prevented from following the shaft 11 from one door to another by gas tight bushings 16. As particularly illustrated in 1, each at the bushings 1G is positioned in a shaft passage 17 formed in each supporting floor level 18, and it closely tits the portion of the shaft 11 extending therethrough.

As above noted, the connecting rods of the prior art have in efi'ect formed continuous metal conductors between the several floors of a switch house, with the result that a fault developing on one floor was communicated to the other floors. in tire present invention, metallic connections between successive floors is eliminated by providing the operatingshat't ll with insulating sections 19 on each of the floors. The section it) may be of wood or other insulating material, and its ends are pinned to connecting; elements 21, which are respectively keyed to adjacent portions 22 ot the operating shaft 11. as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 7, thereby establishing a longitudinally keyed connection therewith.

My invention further contemplates mechanism 23. whereby each disconnecting switch may be iiperatively associated with the common control shat't 11. Since the construction oi the mechanism 23 is identical for each of the several disconnecting; switches 2 and 3. it will be described in connection with the former switch only. Referring' to Figs. 4, 5 and t3. the mechanism involves the use of a worm 2i which is mounted on the shaft 11 intermediate antifriction bearings 25 and 26 carried by hearing portions 27 and 28, respectively, ot a housing 29 secured to the wall section 7 directly opposite to the disconnecting switch 2. The bearings 25 and 26 cause the thrust of the worm 24 to be absorbed within the housing 29, with the result that the only stress in the shaft 11 incident to the opening and closing oi tl a disconnecting switch 2 is a torsional one.

A worm wheel 31 meshes with the worm 2% and it is mounted on a shaft 32- journaled in bearings 33 and St positioned on opposite sides of the housing 29, respectively. T he opposite ends of the shaft. 32 terminate in crank arms 35 and 36 which are pivotally connected to corresponding ends 37 and 38 of connecting links 39 and ll. The worm wheel 31 may also be operatively associated with the links 39 and il by means of an eccentric. The

links 39 and ll extend through apertures 42 and 43 in the wall section T and are pivotally secured by devices at and so to switch blades alt; ant sl'i, respectively. The devices l l and 4:5 comprise a base section s8 which is secured to spaced elements ell) and 51 ot each switch blade 46,41". The ends at he base portion are bent toward the wall section 7 and are ancrtured to receive pivot pins 52 and 53 extending respectively "from arms 5% and ot a yoke member 56 rigidly mounted on the adjacent end of each connecting link 39, 41. The point or"- connection of the yoke member 48 with each of the switch blades is substantially intermediate an upper stationary contact member 5? and a lower pivot post 58, as

illustrated in Fig. 5.

The relation of the crank arms 35 and 36 to the blades l6 and a7 is such that when the latter are in the open position shown in Fig.

(3, the connecting links 37 and 38 are on dead center and when the blades 46 and l? are in the closed position shown in Fig. 5, said connecting links are again on dead center. Hence this mechanism is self locking for both the open and closed positions of the disconnecting" switches.

he screw-jack drive afforded by the wormand-wheel mechanism 2i, constitutes an important denture of my invention since by the use of such mechanism. the tortional strain on the operating shaft 11. incident to the opening and closing; of" the switches 2 and 3, is reduced to a minimum and it also permits the elimination of the very complicated and expensive operating mechanisms of the prior art. The worm 24: has a relatively lat pitch, so that the worm and wheel 24- and 31 may be non-reversing; under the action of the switch blades 4-6. 51. The u m-:werliauling or non-leversing,- ch aracteristic is particularly advantageous inasmuch as the switch blades i6 and 4-7 may be retained in any desired position regardless of whetherthe connecting links and. ll are on dead center. As a result. it is possible to remove completely the operating mechanism 23 ot' any one switch or even the operating shaft 11 without disturbing the adjustment of the remaining switches.

A further feature of my invention involves mechanism 59 constituting an interlock beswitches are locked in position.

sition, shown inFig. 6.

- tween the shaft 11 and a vertically adjustable control shaft (52 for the oil switches; (not shown). As illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, a sleeve (33 is pivotallymounted on a pin 64- carricd by brackets (35 extending from one of the wall sections 6, 7. A pair of arms (56 and 67 embrace the oil switch shaft .62, whereby the sleeve 63 may be rocked in accordance with the vertical u'iovement (thereof;- The sleeve (33 is further provided with a toothed sector (59 which is mo'veable into and out of mesh with teeth formed on the operating shaft 11. When the interlocking mechanism 59 in the position shown in Fig. 9.;thedisconnecting switches 2 and 3 and the oil switches 10 are'clos d andit is inniossible to open. th disconnecting switches by the operating handle 14. When the oil switch control shaftGQis moved seas to open the oil switches 10,th(-i toothed sector69 is actuated out of engagement with. the teeth TO'of the operating shaftfll, with the result that the disconnectim switches 2 and 3 mavnow be opened by the actuation of the shaft 11 from the operating handle 14..

When the disconnecting switches 2 and 3 are in the closed position shownin Fi 4 and 5 of the drawing, the coni'iecting links 39 and ilare on dead center, so that said lVhen the shaft 11 is rotated by means of the operating handle 14, the crank arms 35 and 36 are correspondingly turned, with the result th the switch blades are" actuated into theopen po- The switch blades 46 and 47 are also interlocked in this position, inasmuchas theconnecting links of) 41 are again on do 1' center. An oppo movement ofthe operatiu handle causes the closing of the disconnecting switches 2 and By reason of the anthfriction' hearings and. 26; the thrust of the worm 94 absorbed by the housing-99. Thus the shaft 11 is subjc-cted to torsionalstrains only.

While I have shown only one eu'il'iodiment of my invention, for'the purpose of descril'iing the some and illustratingits 'princi 'iles of constructionfand operation. it is apparent that various changes and modificationsmay be made therein, withoutdeparting from the spirit of my iuveutiomand I desire. therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed thereon as are indicated in the appended :clai ms or asaro demanded by t-he prior art.

and a connecting link interconnecting said position.

In, con'ibination, a switch blade, a driving crank arm and a connecting link there between, said connecting link being on dead center when said switch blade occupies a closed position, whereby said blade may be locked in said position, a worm wheel opera tively associated with said crank arm, and a driving worm therefor, said worm and wheel being non-reversing under the load of said blade' 4. In combination, a pair of switch blades, a pair of crank arms, a pair of connecting links respectively interconnecting said crank arms and said switch blades, said connecting links being 011 dead center when said switch-blades occupy a predetermined position, a driving worm, and a driven wheel 0peratively associated with said crank arms.

said worm having a relatively fiat pitch, whereby said worm and wheel may be nonw reversing under the load of said switch blades. i

5. In combination, a switch blade, a driving crank arm, a connecting link therebetween, said connecting link being on dead,

center when said switch blade occupies open and closedpositions, respectively, whereby said blade may be locked in said positions, said worm and wheel being non-reversing under the load of said blade, an actuating member for said worm, and means adapted to absorb the thrust of said worm.

- 6. Operating mechanism for a. mult phase electrical system comprising a main operating member, a switch individual to each phase, means for operatively associating each switch and said operating member, said means including a worm'mounted on said operating member, a wheel. and linkage inter connecting said wheel and the switch, said worm having a relatively flat pitch, whereby the worm and wheel'n'iaybe non-revcrsingunder the load of the switch, and anti-friction means including a housing tending to absorb the thrust of said worm incident to the opening of said switch. I

,7. In. apparatus of. the class described, a

plurality of floor levels, a. main operating shaft adapted to pass tl'irough said floor 'levels, switches mounted. on saidfloor levels,

means including screw gearing for operatively associatirm said switches and. said shaft, and a gas tight bushing adapted to preventgases from following said shaft from one floor level to the other.

8. In a device of the class described, a pluto said shaft, said connections including a plurality of worm elements mounted on said shaft, and separate supportlng means for said worm elements.

9. In a. n'iultiphase system, the combination with a plurality of disconnecting switches, of a. single operating shaft therefor, each switch being operativcly associated with said shaft through non-reversing gearing, and means tending to prevent the thrust of said gearing from being transferred to said shaft, the latter having non-conducting portions.

10. In a multiphase system, the combination with a plurality of disconnecting switches, of a single operating shaft therefor, each switch being operatively associated with said shaft through nonreversing gearing, means tending to prevent the thrust of said gearing from being transferred to said shaft, the latter having non-conducting portions, a wall apertured to provide passage for said shaft, and a gas tight bushing for said aperture adapted to prevent the passage there through of gases from one side of said wall to the other.

11. In a device of the class described, a rotatable shaft provided with teeth, a longitudi nally movable shaft, and a member movable into and out of mesh with said teeth in ac-.

cordance with the actuation of said second mentioned shaft.

12. In combination, a disconnecting-switch operating shaft provided with teeth, an oilswiteh control shaft, and a member movable into and out of mesh with said teeth, said member being actuated by said control shaft.

18. A rotatable disconnecting-switch operating shaft provided with teeth, a vertically movable oil-switch control shaft, and a pivoted member movable into and out of mesh with said teeth, said member having an operative connection with said control shaft.

1%. In combination, a switch, a main oper ating member, a worm mounted on said memher, a wqrm wheel having an operative connection with said switch, and a protective housing for said worm and wheel adapted to absorb the thrust of said worm incident to the opening of said switch.

15. Operating mechanism for a multiphase electrical system comprising a main operating member, a switch individual to each phase, means for operatively associating each switch and said operating member, said means including a worm mounted on said operating member, a wheel and linkage interconnecting said wheel and the switch, said worm having a relatively flat pitch, whereby the worm and wheel may be non-reversing under the load of the switch, said linkage being substantially on dead center upon the opening of the switch, and a housing for each worm and wheel adapted to absorb the thrust of said Worm.

16. In a multiphase system, the combination with a plurality of disconnecting switches, of a single operating shafttherefor, each switch being operatively associated with said shaft through non-reversing gearing, and means constituting a protective housing for said gearing adapted to prevent the thrust of said gearing being transferred to said shaft.

17. In a multiphase system, the combination with a plurality of disconnecting switches, of a single operating shaft therefor, each switch being operativcly associated with said shaft through worm-and-wheel mechanism, and means for housing said worm-and-wheel mechanism and for preventing the thrust of said mechanism being transferred to said shaft.

18. In a multiphase electrical system, the combination with a plurality of switches for said system, of an operating member, means for operatively associating said switches and said operating member including a plurality of worm elements mounted on said operating member, and means tending to prevent the thrust of said worm elements from being transferred to said operating member.

19. In a multiphase electrical system, the combination with a plurality of switch elements, of a rotatable line of shafting comprising a plurality of sections, means for operatively associating said switch elements and said shafting including a plurality of worm elements mounted on said shafting, and

separate supporting means for the sections of said shafting.

20. In combination, a plurality of switch elements, a sectional operating member therefor, means for operatively associating said switch elements and said operating member, at least one of the sections of said operating member having an insulating portion, and means whereby said insulating portion may have a longitudinally keyed connection to ah adjacent portion of said member.

21. In an electrical system, the combination with a plurality of switches, of a rotatable operating shaft therefor. means for operatively associating said shaft and said switches, said means including a plurality of worm elements, and means for housing said worm elements and for preventing the thrust; thereof from being transferred to said shaft.

WILLIAM R. HUTTINGER. 

